CU preview: Denver East grad wins punting battle

Posted By
Tom Kensler
On
August 27, 2010 @ 7:01 am
In
Football,University of Colorado |
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In the ninth part of a series of look-aheads at Colorado’s 2010 season, broken down by units, we look at the Buffs’ punting game…

CU PUNTING

Newcomers: Denver East HS has not sent many players to Colorado in recent years but Zach Grossnickle (6-2, 190) has earned the starting job as a punter as a redshirt freshman. Grossnickle, who is on scholarship, has a strong right leg, having earned second-team all-state honors in soccer. He began showing more consistency during spring ball. True freshman Dillan Freiberg, a walk-on from Newport Harbor HS in Newport Beach, Calif., is listed as the top backup on the depth chart.

Biggest losses: Matt Dillalo was the team’s regular punter for most of the past four seasons. But the affable Floridian seemed to peak as a freshman, when he earned unanimous national all-freshman team honors. His average of 37.8 yards in 2009 ranked 11th among Big 12 Conference punters.

Strengths: Grossnickle has a big leg. And he is athletic, which can be an asset if he has to avoid a tackle or make one.

Weaknesses: Grossnickle has no experience at this level and there’s no way of knowing how he will handle the pressure when the bright lights come on.

What to look for: CU coaches have high hopes that Grossnickle can develop into a top-flight punter. If the pressure gets to him, and Freiberg struggles, the Buffs could turn to senior place-kicker Aric Goodman, who also can punt. Rest assured that CU special teams coach Kent Riddle will be holding his breath during Grossnickle’s first few punts on Sept. 4 in the season opener against Colorado State. It can be frightening to send out a punter with no experience. cq